If you’ve flown with Delta even once, chances are you’ve been nudged into joining SkyMiles. But is it actually worth sticking with, or just another points scheme masquerading as a loyalty club? In this Delta SkyMiles review, we’re digging into how it works, how to collect and spend miles, and whether chasing status is worth the bother.
Points Earning Rates On Short, Mid, And Long-Haul Flights
Delta’s base rate is 5 miles per US dollar spent on Main Cabin or above. Basic Economy passengers, sadly, get nowt. Once you reach Medallion status, you start earning bonus miles – 7x at Silver, up to 11x at Diamond. Flights with partners (like Air France or KLM) are calculated on distance and fare class, which means you’ll either score a windfall or a polite shrug. Always check the earnings calculator before you book anything that isn’t a Delta flight.
How Easy Is It To Redeem Points For Flights?
Delta got rid of its award chart a while back, so pricing is now dynamic – which is a polite way of saying it’s completely unpredictable. One day, a transatlantic flight might cost 32,000 miles. The next? 115,000. You can use miles on Delta and over 30 partner airlines, which adds some flexibility. Cardholders can also “Pay with Miles” in $50 chunks for every 5,000 miles. It’s not brilliant value, but it does keep things simple when cash is tight.
Introduction To The Status Tiers
SkyMiles has four Medallion tiers: Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Each one unlocks a new bundle of perks – upgrades, priority queues, customer support that actually responds, and eventually, lounge access (Gold+). The catch? Since 2024, Delta only uses Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) to determine status. So it’s no longer about how far you fly – it’s about how much you spend. Loyalty now comes with a price tag.
Tier Point Accrual Rates On Short, Mid, And Long-Haul Flights
You’ll earn 1 MQD for every $1 spent on Delta-marketed flights, not including taxes. Spend on Delta Amex cards helps too – Reserve cards earn 1 MQD per $10 spent, while Platinum earns 1 MQD per $20. There’s also a 2,500 MQD head start if you hold one of those cards, which helps take the edge off. Earning MQDs via partner airlines is a bit of a faff, but possible.
Approximate Cost And Travel Required To Reach Equivalent SkyTeam Elite Plus status
Gold Medallion – Delta’s equivalent version of SkyTeam Elite – gets you lounge access, but now requires $12,000 in MQDs. No segments, no miles, just pure spend. You’ll get there faster if you fly up front or mix in some serious Amex spending, but for most casual travellers, it’s a steep hill to climb. If you’re mainly flying Economy and paying out of pocket, expect to stay grounded.
Sweet-spot for earning status
This Delta SkyMiles review wouldn’t be complete without pointing out that US domestic business and short transatlantic trips in Premium Economy are probably your best bet. Stick with Delta-operated flights, where your spending gets full MQD credit. A few premium partner fares (notably Virgin Atlantic or Air France in higher fare buckets) can work too – but tread carefully. Codeshares often earn less, and not in your favour. Read why airline fare class codes matter.
Overall Quality Of The Lounges And Cabin Products
Delta Sky Clubs are generally well-kept, and the newer ones at JFK and LAX feel a cut above the usual US lounge fodder. If you manage to snag an upgrade to Delta One, expect a great lie-flat seat, decent bedding, and food that lands somewhere between M&S Dine In and business class fine dining. For domestic travel, Medallion upgrades to Comfort+ or First are automatic when available – handy, if you don’t mind gambling on availability.
BG1 Verdict
This Delta SkyMiles review shows that it’s a decent scheme if you’re US-based or flying Delta regularly. The perks improve rapidly with status, but you’ll need to spend hard to reach the higher tiers. For everyone else, the inconsistent redemption rates and lack of an award chart make it a bit of a minefield. Still, flexibility and a wide partner network stop it from being a total write-off.
Take a look at our other SkyTeam frequent flyer reviews.
Where Can I Sign-Up?
Head to delta.com/skymiles to sign up. It’s free, quick, and mildly satisfying – just make sure you join before your next flight, as miles aren’t credited retroactively. Harsh but true.
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